Paradise of the Blind

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paradise of the Blind is a novel by Duong Thu Huong, published in 1988. It was the first Vietnamese novel published in English in the United States [1]. It is now banned in Vietnam because of the political view and potential bias of the novel.

Hang, the protagonist, journeys on a train to visit her Uncle Chinh. While on the train she remembers her life and various stories about her family.

[edit] Major Characters

  • Hang
  • Que
  • Aunt Tam
  • Uncle Chinh
  • Ton

[edit] Important Symbols

  • Que's Roof
  • Hang's Earrings
  • Cripple's Song
  • Duckweed Flowers
  • The Fog

[edit] Major Issues

  • Beauty and Cruelty of Vietnamese Culture
  • Strength/Suffering of Women
  • Duplicity of Self Sacrifice vs. Paranoia
  • Food as a symbol of Human Expression